Main Cast: Drew Forsythe, Tina Arhondis, Charles "Bud" Tingwell, Monica Maughan
Release Year: 1984
Country: AU
Run Time: 93 minutes
Plot
This emotional true story is about Annie O'Farrell (Tina Arhondis -- who suffered brain damage at birth and as a result was later institutionalized with other children like herself, physically unable to mature past the age of 8 or 9, even though in chronological years they are much older. When therapist Jessica Hathaway (Angela Punch McGregor meets Annie for the first time, her interactions with the girl tell her that she has been misdiagnosed. Convinced that Annie's mind is functioning perfectly well, Jessica runs up against solid opposition from Annie's parents and has to bide her time until the girl reaches the age of 18. At that point, Jessica obtains an injunction to get Annie released from the home -- and begins her own session of therapy. Due to the non-fictional content of the film, the disagreements between Jessica and Annie's parents are sidelined, and, as in many other films of this type, the unusual court battles and subsequent change in the disabled patient are dramatic but not in keeping with the day-to-day reality of patients and clinical staff working to make small steps towards progress -- with never a chance for any miraculous recovery in the vast majority of cases. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
Mark Butler - Dr. John Monroe; Philippa Baker - Sister Waterman; Liddy Clark - Sally Clements; Wallace Eaton - Dr. Rowell; John Frawley - Harding; Alistair Duncan - Hopgood; Simon Chilvers - Metcalf; Lyn Collingwood - Mrs. O'Farrell; Russie Taylor - Phyllis James; Bill Bennett - Court Clerk; Pattie Alexeff - David Carlos; Maureen Bailey - Sister-in-Law; Stewart Bates - Reporter; Kim Bilston - Nurse; Carl Bleazby - Bill Hathaway; Nicky Coghill - University Girl; Wayne Cull - Brother-in-Law; Laurie Dobson - Mr. O'Farrell; Sue Dukic - Yugoslav Attendant No. 2; Michael Edgar - Young Solicitor; Dean Gerrity - Dennis; Judith Graham - Mrs. Hathaway; Craig Hargreaves - Mark; Jennifer Hearne - Mrs. Hathaway's Sister; Kathy Kerry - Yugoslav Attendant No. 1; John Larking - Crash Driver; Steven McCarthy - Philip; Elaine McKennar - Nurse; Esme Melville - Mrs. Arnold; Andrea Milner - Noelene; Jane Neilson - Bronwen Jones; Jeanine O'Donnell - Nurse; Julie Parker - Amanda Pile; Brett Reynolds - Timmy; Matthew Simpson - Stephen; Philip Stammers - Newsman; Tom Stankovic - David's Friend; Ann Sutherland - Rowell's Secretary; Catherine Vincenzini - Elizabeth Potter; Jenny Jarman Walker - Nurse; Jenny Warner - Rosie Hughes; Joy Westmore - Receptionist; Colin Williams - Jessica's Brother; Karen Wise - Katherine O'Farrell; James Wright - Douglas; Angela Punch McGregor - Jessica Hathaway; Ann Morgan - Jessica's Sister
Credit
Mike Hudson - Art Director, Gil Brealey - Director, Lindsay Frazer - Editor, Simon Walker - Composer (Music Score), Patricia Payne - Makeup, Rob Perkins - Production Designer, Mick von Bornemann - Cinematographer, Don Murray - Producer, Andrew Mitchell - Set Designer, Chris Borthwick - Screenwriter, John Patterson - Screenwriter, Rosemary Crossley - Book Author, Rosemary Crossley - Short Story Author, Anne McDonald - Short Story Author
